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Farm Numbers and Their Implications for Economic Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

B. F. Stanton
B. F. Stanton*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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Extract

Data on farm numbers are widely discussed and frequently misinterpreted. These numbers comprise one of the nation's oldest and most basic statistical series. As such they are a fundamental part of our agricultural data system. This paper argues that American farms should be classified into three separate categories for both descriptive and analytical purposes. Such divisions will allow us to understand more fully the changes in farming which have occurred and the implications of changes now in progress. Rates of change in size distributions, productivity and net income may be examined in perspective. Public understanding of the policy issues involved will be enhanced.

Type
Invited Papers
Information
Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics Council , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , Fall 1982 , pp. 7 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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Footnotes

The review and comments of N. L. Bills, J. R. Brake, O. D. Forker, R. B. How and W. G. Tomek are gratefully acknowledged.

References

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